The disastrous war in Iraq shows no sign of abating. The President’s plea for “staying the course” is basically asking us to embrace the chaos, death, and destruction he created. The oil war in Iraq is a failure, and the only option is to get out before more people are killed. U.S. citizens are waking up to the calamity and are opposing the war. Many knew the absurdity in the run up to war, while the majority believed the lies. Former Treasury Secretary O’Neil said the President began talking about invading Iraq at the first full cabinet meeting in January, 2001.

We also know that the Pentagon wants to track your children so they can seduce youth to join the quagmire in Iraq. The Pentagon is working with a private firm, to build a database of all youth, 16 years old through college age. The Pentagon wants direct access to youth since recruiting is as dismal as the oil war in the Middle East.

The Pentagon wants information that includes birth date, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade point averages, ethnicity, and subjects studied. If this does not shore up collapsing recruitment, the draft will be the only option left for the Pentagon.

The Santa Maria Peace Coalition (SMPC) has decided to begin a counter recruitment campaign, as an avenue to act locally in response to the insanity of war. We have also paid for a membership with TAPtv public access television to produce shows that are anti-war, anti-draft, and anti-recruitment. Too many young Santa Maria soldiers have been killed in the Middle East oil war.

We will be reviewing the parental opt-out forms of local high schools for completeness. We will also determine if the forms are adequately discussed and distributed to students. We will encourage youth to distribute counter recruitment literature on high school campuses during breaks. We do not want recruiters luring youth with false promises and illusory dreams.

Do not let youth make snap decisions about enlisting. If one insists on going to a recruiter, demand he or she take a witness over 18. Have a potential recruit talk to veterans about what military life and combat are like before signing the enlistment agreement.

Get a photocopy of the enlistment agreement. Demand that every promise made by the recruiter is in writing and signed by the recruiter. Enlistment bonus money is hardly worth the risk of life or limb. Recruiters cannot guarantee job assignments.

People who sign up for delayed enlistment, whether 17 years of age or older, can get out of the enlistment agreement by writing a letter addressed to the “commander” of the local recruiting office where the enlistment was signed. Contact the G.I. Rights Hotline 1(800) 394-9544 (www.girights.org) for information about your rights and duties.

The website has a list of the normal reasons for dropping out of delayed enlistment, including conscientious objection, family problems, and higher education. The delayed enlistment recruit who abandons the agreement will receive threats from the recruiters, but the military currently releases all delayed entry program recruits. Once sworn into the military, one becomes federal property and civil liberties are significantly reduced.

Recruiters seduce youth with talk about college tuition money. The US Veterans Administration determined that only 35% of veterans receive GI Bill funds for college, while only 15% ever graduate. In comparison, 70% of students who apply for aid at colleges do receive assistance.

Every college has a financial aid office to match students with scholarships and plans to meet their financial needs. School loans are another good way to get through college. One doesn’t need the military to attend college. Santa Maria must stop youth from enlisting, and let them know that this war is about controlling oil supply.

Please call Dennis at 343-6322 for more information about the SMPC.

James Murr is a resident of Santa Maria and can be contacted at jacomurr@west.net.

OPT OUT of your school’s military recruitment lists and the Pentagon’s illegal database. Go to http://www.leavemychildalone.org.


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